Forest Industry Growing In Kentucky

Kentucky's timber industry expects a profitable year in 2014. That's according to an economic impact report issued last week during a forest industry meeting in Louisville.

The report details the timber industry's almost 13 billion dollar contribution to state's economy in 2013. It was more than three percent higher than 2011. The direct impact covers wood products like cabinets and flooring, employment, and trucking.

University of Kentucky Forestry Professor Jeff Stringer helped compile the report and says trends are good for this year.

"As you hear that the U.S. economy improves overall, you hear things like housing starts are up, and that bolds well for our wood industries, so 2014 from that perspective are starting out well," said Stringer.

Stringer says there are some 18 hundred logging firms across Kentucky. Still, the cost of fuel, tires, and truck parts has stressed the logging industry.

"The woods is growing the amount that's adequate for harvest, for a good sustainable harvest and our logging sector, while fragile, is still functioning and still able to cut and haul the material that needed by our industry," added Stringer.

While there are timber manufacturers for end products in Kentucky, Stringer says it's a business sector which could see further growth.

Insect infestation also affects Kentucky's woodlands. Risks to ash and hemlock trees are well known, but the UK forestry professor says oaks could also be threatened in the future.

"Anything that affects oaks is important," explains Stringer. "That's why we watch gypsy moth that is real heavy in the northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and wants to move into Kentucky. So, we keep an eye on that."

Stringer says oak trees comprise between 30 to 40 percent of all timber in the Commonwealth.